Never Home Alone

This week’s text gives us much to ponder about how the Spirit, the Advocate, the Helper lives with us and within us, wherever we are. We are promised that the Spirit will never leave us and that Christ will come to us. We are never left home alone.

And…

the “because clause” in this text activates something in us that is deeply afraid that if we do not obey or love Jesus perfectly, we will be denied the Father’s love. It creates a huge conundrum in us. Either we try harder to obey so that we earn God’s love or we give up trying and turn away from God. Neither response moves our hearts and bodies towards trusting God’s unconditional love and unending grace.

This is why discernment of God’s presence and action in our lives does not hinge on one isolated line in Scripture. As we seek wisdom and discernment for our lives we need the whole arc of God’s story revealed in Scripture, the Holy Spirit dwelling within us, and the Body of Christ to help guide us towards life and more life.

Bring your self, your real self to the text today. Notice what stirs within you. The Spirit is inviting a conversation with you.

John 14:15-21 (NLT)
“If you love me, obey my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate who will never leave you. 17 He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you.18 No, I will not abandon you as orphans—I will come to you. 19 Soon the world will no longer see me, but you will see me. Since I live, you also will live. 20 When I am raised to life again, you will know that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. 21 Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.”

For Reflection and Prayer:
Read or listen to the text being read slowly, three times. Was there a word, a phrase, or an image that stood out as you listened? Linger there awhile with Jesus

What was your inner response to what you heart? Either a felt sense you experienced in your body or an emotion that you noticed? Bring these responses into a conversation with God. You might journal the dialogue that unfolds between you and God.

Rest in any consoling words, pictures, or feelings with God as you near the end of this prayer. Allow God to simply minister to you in these consolations.

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Never Home Alone

While many of us remain confined to our home in this pandemic, this week’s text gives us much to ponder about how the Spirit, the Advocate, the Helper lives with us and within us, wherever we are. We are promised that the Spirit will never leave us and that Christ will come to us. We are never left home alone.

Bring your self, your real self to the text today. Notice what stirs within you. The Spirit is inviting a conversation with you.

John 14:15-21 (NLT)
“If you love me, obey my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate who will never leave you. 17 He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you.18 No, I will not abandon you as orphans—I will come to you. 19 Soon the world will no longer see me, but you will see me. Since I live, you also will live. 20 When I am raised to life again, you will know that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. 21 Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.”

For Reflection and Prayer:
Read or listen to the text being read slowly, three times. Was there a word, a phrase, or an image that stood out as you listened? Linger there awhile with Jesus

What was your inner response to what you heart? Either a felt sense you experienced in your body or an emotion that you noticed? Bring these responses into a conversation with God. You might journal the dialogue that unfolds between you and God.

Rest in any consoling words, pictures, or feelings with God as you near the end of this prayer. Allow God to simply minister to you in these consolations.

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Never Alone. Never Abandoned.

Our need and longing for safety and security is real and fully understood by God. The One who faithfully fashioned us knows our craving for belonging and intimate friendship. What a promise Jesus gives in these words. No one else can truly deliver on the promise to never leave us or forsake us. Not for a moment. Be still with these words of Jesus today and allow them to enfold your heart. You are not alone. Ever.

John 14:15-24  (NLT)

15 “If you love me, obey my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate who will never leave you. 17 He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you. 18 No, I will not abandon you as orphans—I will come to you. 19 Soon the world will no longer see me, but you will see me. Since I live, you also will live. 20 When I am raised to life again, you will know that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. 21 Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.”
22 Judas (not Judas Iscariot, but the other disciple with that name) said to him, “Lord, why are you going to reveal yourself only to us and not to the world at large?”
23 Jesus replied, “All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them. 24 Anyone who doesn’t love me will not obey me. And remember, my words are not my own. What I am telling you is from the Father who sent me.

For Reflection and Prayer:
1. Was there a word, a phrase, or an image that stood out as you listened? Linger there awhile with Jesus.
2. If any experiences of being “led into all truth” come to mind as you listened, consider listening deeper with our Advocate. Rest in any word you receive.

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